DCA Congratulates Downtown Metuchen for Winning the 2023 Great American Main Street Award

• Posted on: 03/27/2023

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) congratulates the Metuchen Downtown Alliance for being recognized as a 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner. Earlier today, Main Street America® announced the prestigious award, which recognizes communities for excellence in preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

“This is an incredible accomplishment and the Metuchen Downtown Alliance should be proud of all it has done to receive this national recognition,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “DCA’s Main Street New Jersey program is happy to have provided Downtown Metuchen with training, professional consultation, financial assistance, and other resources to help make their business district successful. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Metuchen Downtown Alliance in the years to come.”

The Metuchen Downtown Alliance has led efforts to create unique shopping, dining, and programming experiences such as Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Day, and Kids Takeover that represent all of the borough’s residents. Aside from programming, the volunteer-powered group has provided essential support systems for its businesses through grants, innovative marketing, and place making.

The Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) Program, which is administered by DCA’s Office of Local Planning Services, helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance, and image of their central business districts through the organization of local citizens and resources. Municipalities must apply and be selected to join the MSNJ Program, which was established in 1989. These designated communities receive technical support and training to assist in restoring their Main Streets as centers of economic and social activity.

In 2019, Main Street New Jersey awarded the Metuchen Downtown Alliance a $23,000 grant to assist with projects such as restoring storefronts and facades, creative and cultural placemaking, and developing strategies to take Downtown Metuchen to the next level. The Metuchen Downtown Alliance also received grant awards of $295,958 in 2020 and $359,670 in 2021 from the MSNJ Program to help fund parklets, streeteries, and website directories and to help businesses setup for e-commerce.

People can learn more about the 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner and Main Street America® by visiting www.mainstreet.org/metuchen. Only two other downtowns in New Jersey – Westfield and Montclair – have previously received the Great American Main Street Award. 

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: